At a time of tremendous growth, prosperity and expansion within Uganda and the African continent, Ortus Advocates positions itself as the largest independent full services law firm in Uganda, comprising of Law, Business Advisory Services and Tax.
The firm was established in 2019 by the coming together of like-minded, passionate, dynamic and globally astute lawyers, all experts in our chosen field of specialisation. Our combined passion for legal services and delivering inspired business solutions to our clients makes Ortus Advocates the logical choice for legal services in the East African region.
Ortus Advocates is poised to become a powerhouse within the African legal landscape, with an in-depth understanding of the socio-political climate specific to the region, the firm is able to confidently advise clients on a wide range of legal matters.
Building a strong, robust reputation of being able to provide solid legal solutions to the most complex of problems.
In a region that holds great potential, Ortus Advocates is playing an active role in engaging with governmental parties to contribute and influence legislation. They are at the forefront of legislation in Uganda and our in-depth knowledge of the region is invaluable in getting the deal done.
Our vision is to partner with our clients, developing long standing professional relationships and advising them with integrity and exceeding excellence.
The legal landscape can often be a complex and intimidating environment, Ortus Advocates commits to tirelessly seeking to deliver professional legal services at the highest levels of excellence without compromising integrity.
Bernard is a Partner in our Banking and Finance practice and a specialist with over 20 years’ experience in banking and finance as well as insolvency and restructuring. He is a dual qualified practitioner both as a Solicitor of England and Wales and an Advocate licensed to practise in Uganda.
Bernard is recognised as a leading lawyer with a vast experience in the areas of Finance (debt and equity), general banking (operational and regulatory) and financial services. Bernard regularly advises various domestic and foreign banks and other funds in Africa, and specialises in asset, project and/or infrastructure finance.
He has been involved in reviewing the entire banking architecture in Uganda with a view of introducing Islamic Banking in the country. Bernard has previously served as director on the board of two listed companies on the Ugandan Stock Exchange.
He has consistently been recognised as a leading/recommended lawyer by the following reputable rating agency and its publication:
Chambers and Partners Guide to the World’s Leading Lawyers 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2014 – General Business Law: 2015 – “up and coming” – General Business Law (Uganda). Bernard has been described as “always amiable and able to provide comfort in pretty difficult situations”. Chambers and Partners 2019
IFLR1000 Financial and Corporate Guide 2016, 2017, 2018,2020 – Leading Lawyer (Uganda)
Legal 500 EMEA 2018
Experience
Alexander is a partner in our energy, mining and infrastructure practice and has extensive experience of over 17 years advising on key mandates in the energy, infrastructure, oil and gas sectors in Uganda, and is widely respected as an authority on energy law in Uganda.
He has also been involved in major acquisitions and infrastructure projects in Uganda, as well as acquisition regimes for land in Kenya, Tanzania and Ghana.
Alexander has undertaken legal due diligence and legal audits of a wide range of companies, including telecommunications companies and electricity transmission and distribution companies. He has been involved in developing the legal regimes for electronic commerce and climate change in Uganda. He is also published in key areas of law.
Alexander is recognised as a leading/recommended lawyer by the following reputable rating agency and its publication:
IFLR 1000 Financial and Corporate Guide: Rising Star 2016, 2017, 2018,2020 (Uganda)
Legal 500 EMEA 2018
Experience
Bernard is a Partner in our TMT and Intellectual Property practice with a wealth of experience of over 11 years specializing on all aspects of intellectual property. His experience includes providing strategic advice on commercial and transactional intellectual property matters, including structuring and management, due diligence, investigations and advising on, and drafting, commercial and licence agreements. He also advises clients on trade mark and copyright litigation, patent perfection and on matters of infringement, passing off and anti-counterfeiting. He works with clients across a range of sectors including: media and entertainment, telecommunications, advertising and sport, fashion, cosmetics, restaurants and food stuffs and electronics.
Bernard has been involved in numerous significant reported cases in relation to trade mark, copyright and patent infringement and is regularly recommended by clients for his contentious expertise. He is the General Secretary of the Ugandan Law Society Intellectual Property Practitioners Cluster and a member of the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) Intellectual Property Department Users Forum. He is a registered African intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO) Agent.
While on secondment in 2014 at Freshfields Bruckhaus Derringer LLP, a magic circle firm, at their London office under the International Lawyers for Africa (ILFA) Advanced Training Program, Bernard worked closely with teams dealing in intellectual property, mergers and acquisitions and drafting and negotiating Transitional Services Agreements (TSA’s) as well as IP and other dispute resolution.
Bernard also advises several entities on employment law and labour compliance, occupational health and safety, workman’s compensation and restructuring. He has assisted several companies in restructuring and mass lay-offs as well as labour law compliance. He represents a number of clients before the Labour Office as well as the High court Industrial Division and routinely mediates and arbitrates employment disputes.
He is also a registered Insolvency Practitioner in Uganda and has handled a high-profile Receivership, Provisional Administration and assisted in the liquidation of a leading telecom Company. He participates in our Commercial Dispute Resolution practice. (Mediation, Arbitration and Litigation).
He is a Notary Public and Commissioner for Oaths.
Experience
Birungi is a Partner in the Banking and Finance practice with over 10 years specializing in banking and finance law, projects development and finance, energy and natural resources, mergers & acquisitions, real estate infrastructure and construction,
She has extensive experience in financing including acquisition, project and asset finance and has previously advised corporations, financial sponsors and financial institutions across a wide spectrum of domestic and cross border secured and unsecured lending deals covering a range of industries, including infrastructure, construction and energy. Her experience extends to advising both local and international entities on the financing of major infrastructural and developmental projects including those relating to energy, infrastructure and real estate.
And also proven experience in financial services regulation including bank regulatory, transactional, bank insolvency, compliance and supervisory matters.
She represents both strategic and financial clients in a broad range of industries, including financial services energy & natural resources, real estate infrastructure and construction.
Birungi is recognised as a leading/recommended lawyer by the following reputable rating agency and its publication:
IFLR1000 Financial and Corporate guide 2018, 2017 – Rising Star (Uganda)
Legal 500 EMEA 2018
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